This study evaluates the effects of nutrition education on improving knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of mothers and the improvement of the nutritional status of their children. A cluster randomized controlled design using multistage sampling was employed. The integrated school‐based nutrition programme included gardening, nutrition education for parents, and supplementary feeding for children (GarNESup). KAP of mothers was assessed using pretested questionnaires administered by teachers. The randomly selected schools were randomly allocated into two groups: Both schools provided lunch to targeted children with one‐dish indigenous vegetable recipe, but School 1 received iron‐fortified rice whereas School 2 was provided ordinary rice. Eighty wasted and/or anaemic children in each school were fed for 120 days. Nutrition education for children's parents was done every school card claim day and during parent–teacher meetings using 10 developed modules. Weight, height, and haemoglobin level of children and KAP of mothers were measured at baseline and endpoint using standard techniques. KAP of mothers who had completed more than six modules had significantly increased from baseline to endpoint: Negative consequence of worm infestation (33.3% to 60.6%, P = 0.035), importance of serving breakfast for children (42.4% to 78.8%, P = 0.004), cooking vegetables (63.6% to 93.9%, P = 0.002), and purchasing fortified foods was recorded (51.5% to 93.9%, P = 0.000). Children in School 1 had significantly higher weight gain (1.33 ± 0.72) and haemoglobin level (0.49 ± 0.99) than children in School 2 (0.84 ± 0.59; 0.12 ± 0.70). Nutrition education resulted to significant increase of mother's KAP and the implementation of the integrated school‐based nutrition model significantly improved children's nutritional status.

The effectiveness of weekly iron-folic acid supplements promoted through a government-industry partnership was assessed in pregnant and non-pregnant women in the Philippines. Compliance to both weekly and daily supplementation increased during the year-long study period, but was highest with weekly supplementation. Serum ferritin and hematocrit increased significantly, whereas the hemoglobin level showed minimal change, probably because of lack of other heme-forming nutrients such as vitamin A. Serum ferritin increments were significantly higher in women taking the iron-folic acid supplements for more than 6 weeks. Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation should be recommended as a preventive strategy to control iron deficiency among reproductive-age women in the Philippines.

Graphical abstract

This study assessed the status and factors that affected the food security of Filipino households and their access to social protection programs and coping mechanisms during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Philippines. A rapid nutrition assessment survey through telephone interview was conducted on November 3 to December 3, 2020, among households covered in the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) to compare the status of household food security before and during the pandemic. A total of 9 provinces and highly urbanized areas were selected as study sites based on risk to COVID-19 infection categorized as low, medium, and high. A total of 5717 households with contact numbers participated in the study. Results showed that almost two-thirds (62.1%) of the households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity when strict community quarantines started. The increase in the proportion of moderate to severe food insecurity was higher in the low- and medium-risk areas of COVID-19 infection than in high-risk areas ( P < .05). The poorest households were 1.7 times more likely to become moderate to severely food insecure compared to middle-income households. No money to buy food (22.1%) was the top concern of food-insecure households. Purchasing food on credit, borrowing food from family, and loans from relatives and friends are the top coping strategies of food-insecure households. The results imply the need to extend assistance equitably to households and areas with fewer resources and minimal or no benefactors.

With the participation of the government and private sectors in the Philippines, weekly iron-folic acid supplementation introduced within a social marketing framework and a social mobilization campaign successfully improved knowledge and practice of buying and regularly taking supplements by women of reproductive age, both pregnant and non-pregnant. Adolescent girls in school were also active participants.